Oil film containment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A barrier apparatus for containing oil accumulation on a water surface. An elongated buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section with such triangle preferably having slightly rounded identical sides is arranged in the water such that a line from the vertex of the triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level. The length of such line is several wave lengths in magnitude in order to act as a dampener to wave amplitude. The length of the base of such triangle is sufficient (in cooperation with the length of the line perpendicular to the base) to inhibit or prevent oil from flowing over the barrier member and inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath the barrier member under normal heave thereof.

United States Patent [151 3,653,214 Woody, Jr. 51 Apr. 4, B972 [54] OIL FILM CONTAINMENT APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Att0rney-Thomas B. McCulloch, Melvin F. Fincke, John S. [72] lnvemor' Lemuel woody Houston Schneider, Sylvester W. Brock, Jr., Kurt S. Myers and [73] Assignee: Esso Production Research Company Timothy L. Burgess [21] Appl 41232 A barrier apparatus for containing oil accumulation on a water surface. An elongated buoyant member having a [52] US. Cl ..61/ 1, 61/5 generally tfidngular cross-Section such triangle Preferably 51 E02 15 04 1502 3 00 having slightly rounded identical sides is arranged in the water {58] Field of Search ..61/l F; 210/242, DlG. 21 such that a line from the vertex of the triangle Perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level. [56] Referen Cit d The length of such line is several wave lengths in magnitude in order to act as a dampener to wave amplitude. The length of UNITED STATES PATENT the base of such triangle is sufficient (in cooperation with the length of the line perpendicular to the base) to inhibit or 3,548,599 12/1970 Reilly ..61/l F prevent Oil from flowing Over the barrier member and inhibit FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath the barrier member under normal heave thereof. 2,005,586 12/1969 France ..6l/5

CONNECTOR OPTIONAL 5 WEIGHT 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR 4 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG.

ANCHOR FIG. 2.

ATTORNEY.

PATENTEU PR 41972 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG.

OPTIONAL WEIGHT FLOAT CONNECTOR WAVE ACTION F I INVENTOR.

LEMUEL 0. wooomr, JR,

ATTORNEY.

OIL FILM CONTAINMENT APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns barrier apparatus to facilitate disposal of oil on bodies of water and to prevent contamination of shore lines. During normal marine oil well drilling and/or oil production operations the possibility exists for hydrocarbons which are immisible with and lighter than water to commingle with the water body. When this occurs, failure to contain or remove the hydrocarbons, which will float as a film upon the water, jeopardizes by contamination the water body and shore environment. Efforts to separate the hydrocarbons from the water are complicated by both the reduced thickness of the oil film which is formed and wave action. The apparatus of the present invention is designed to contain such an oil accumulation on a water surface and prevent spreading of the accumulated oil to the shore line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the barrier apparatus for containing an oil film floating upon water comprises a buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section preferably with slightly rounded identical sides, said buoyant member being constructed and arranged in the water such that a straight line from the vertex of such triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level. In another embodiment of the invention the cross-section of the buoyant member is in the shape of two such triangles having a common base. Each triangle preferably has slightly rounded identical sides and is constructed and arranged in the water such that a straight line extending from vertex to vertex of the triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates the barrier apparatus of the invention arranged in a circular pattern surrounding an offshore platform;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating wave action against the barrier apparatus; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the barrier apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown an offshore platform 8 used for oil and/or gas well drilling or production operations surrounded by a light-weight floatable barrier member 9. Buoys or floats l0, suitably anchored, may be used to maintain the barrier member in proper position about platform 8.

The structure of one embodiment of barrier member 9 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4. A central tubular member 11 is attached to light weight framing ribs 12 which extend horizontally on each side of tubular member 11 to support tension straps or ring members 13 and 14. Loops are fixed to ring member 14 at spaced-apart intervals for connecting anchor and float lines to the barrier member. The entire structure, including the ring members, ribs, and tubular member, is covered with a leak-proof material 16.

As seen in FIG. 3 the barrier member cross-section comprises two generally isosceles triangles having a common base and slightly rounded or oval sides arranged in the water such that a line from vertex to vertex of the triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level. One-half of such line, that is the distance from ring member 14 or ring member 13 to the center of tubular member 1 1 or onehalf the distance A is several wave lengths in magnitude in order to dampen wave amplitude as illustrated in FIG. 5. For

example, if the wave length were 6 feet the length of the distance one-half A might appropriately be 36 feet. The diameter D of tubular member 11, that is, the height of the barrier member at the center thereof or the length of the base of the triangles, is sufiiciently long below the water line to inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath barrier 9 and sufficiently long above the water line, in cooperation with the horizontally extending portion of barrier member 9, to dampen wave amplitude. As an example, for a dimension of 36 feet for the distance one-half A the diameter of tubular member 1 1 might appropriately be 6 feet.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular member 11 may be provided with additional weight if desired to assure proper positioning in the water.

Another embodiment of the barrier apparatus is illustrated in the ratio 6. A barrier member 9A extends horizontally on one side only of tubular member 1 1A to form in cross-section a single isosceles triangle. The remainder of the structure is the same as in the embodiment described above. The sides of the triangle are rounded and a tension ring member 14A, rib framing 12A and covering material 16A are provided.

As indicated in FIG. 6 tubular member A may be filled with or formed of a buoyant plastic material 17 such as a polyurethane foam.

Various alternative arrangements are possible. The tubular member 11 or llA may be constructed with a metal surface using a metal rib support to decrease the overall weight of the barrier apparatus. A metal rib frame construction may be covered with a plastic or rubber-like material. Instead of the tubular member 11 or 11A the entire internal structure of the barrier member might suitably be rib framing or the entire structure might be formed of a plastic material.

The covering, where a covering is used, could be connected to the tubular member and/or frame by a number of techniques. A clamping system where strips extend along the top and center section of the tubular member using cap screws or fasteners to clamp the covering material to the tubular member and/or frame might be used or attachment might be accomplished by vulcanizing or cementing the covering to the tubular member. If the tension straps are fabricated as an assembly with the tubular member and/or frame the covering may be stretched over the entire assembly and fastened together at one edge or at each edge adjacent to the tensioning straps.

Changes and modifications may be made in the specific illustrative embodiments of the invention shown and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film floating upon water comprising:

a buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section, said triangle having a base and slightly rounded identical sides;

said buoyant member being arranged in the water such that a straight line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the level of the water.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member includes a central tubular member attached to framing ribs extending outwardly from one side of said tubular member and a water proof cover surrounding said tubular member and said framing ribs.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which the length of said base below said water level is sufficient to inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath said buoyant member and the length of said base above said water level is sufficiently long together with the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from passing over said buoyant member.

4. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film comprising:

a buoyant member having a cross-section in the shape of two generally isosceles triangles having a common base, each triangle having slightly rounded sides and being arranged in the water such that a straight line extending from vertex to vertex of said triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member includes a central tubular member attached to framing ribs extending outwardly from diametrically opposite sides thereof and a water proof cover surrounding said tubular member and said framing ribs.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which the length of said base below said water level is sufficient to inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath said buoyant member and the length of said base above said water level is sufficiently long together with the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from passing over said buoyant member.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member is arranged in a circle.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member is arranged in a circle.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member is formed of plastic-foam material.

10. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member is formed of plastic-foam material.

11. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film floating upon water comprising:

a buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section, said triangle having a base and slightly rounded identical sides;

said buoyant member being arranged in the water such that a straight line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the level of the water;

the length of said base being at least one wave length and the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base being greater than the length of said base and both the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base and the length of the base being sufficient to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from becoming trapped under said buoyant member and from passing over said buoyant member 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which the ratio of the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to said base to the length of said base is about 6: l.

13. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film comprising:

a buoyant member having a cross-section in the shape of two generally isosceles triangles having a common base, each triangle having slightly rounded sides and being arranged in the water such that a straight line extending from vertex to vertex of said triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level, the length of the base of said triangles being about one wave length and one half the length of said line from vertex to vertex of said triangles being greater than one wave length and both the length of the base of said triangles and the length of said line from the vertex to vertex of said triangles being sufficient to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from becoming trapped under said buoyant member and from passing over said buoyant member.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 in which the ratio of one half the length of said line from vertex to vertex of said triangles to the length of the base is about 6:1.

IR k 

1. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film floating upon water comprising: a buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section, said triangle having a base and slightly rounded identical sides; said buoyant member being arranged in the water such that a straight line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the level of the water.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member includes a central tubular member attached to framing ribs extending outwardly from one side of said tubular member and a water proof cover surrounding said tubular member and said framing ribs.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which the length of said base below said water level is sufficient to inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath said buoyant member and the length of said base above said water level is sufficiently long together with the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from passing over said buoyant member.
 4. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film comprising: a buoyant member having a cross-section in the shape of two generally isosceles triangles having a common base, each triangle having slightly rounded sides and being arranged in the water such that a straight line extending from vertex to vertex of said triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member includes a central tubular member attached to framing ribs extending outwardly from diametrically opposite sides thereof and a water proof cover surrounding said tubular member and said framing ribs.
 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which the length of said base below said water level is sufficient to inhibit or prevent oil from becoming trapped beneath said buoyant member and the length of said base above said water level is sufficiently long together with the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from passing over said buoyant member.
 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member is arranged in a circle.
 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member is arranged in a circle.
 9. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said buoyant member is formed of plastic-foam material.
 10. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said buoyant member is formed of plastic-foam material.
 11. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film floating upon water comprising: a buoyant member having a generally triangular cross-section, said triangle having a base and slightly rounded identical sides; said buoyant member being arranged in the water such that a straight line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the level of the water; the length of said base being at least one wave length and the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base being greater than the length of said base and both the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to the base and the length of the base being sufficient to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from becoming trapped under said buoyant member and from passing over said buoyant member.
 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 in which the ratio of the length of said line from the vertex of said triangle perpendicular to said base to the length of said base is about 6:
 13. Barrier apparatus for containing an oil film comprising: a buoyant member having a cross-section in the shape of two generally isosceles triangles having a common base, each triangle having slightly rounded sides and being arranged in the water such that a straight line extending from vertex to vertex of said triangles perpendicular to the base thereof substantially coincides with the water level, the length of the base of said triangles being about one wave length aNd one half the length of said line from vertex to vertex of said triangles being greater than one wave length and both the length of the base of said triangles and the length of said line from the vertex to vertex of said triangles being sufficient to dampen wave amplitude and prevent oil from becoming trapped under said buoyant member and from passing over said buoyant member.
 14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 in which the ratio of one half the length of said line from vertex to vertex of said triangles to the length of the base is about 6:1. 